Due to the worldwide impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, in a letter dated March 12, 2020, announced that “beginning immediately, all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice.” This includes Sunday worship meetings and all activities, including sacrament meeting.
These are precautionary measures that come after consulting the guidance of government and professional health officials, as well as the will of the Lord. While there is a measure of uncertainty during this time, we encourage everyone to proceed with optimism, love, faith and hope. For more information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), please turn to trusted sources, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) or Utah Department of Health (health.utah.gov).
The following are answers to questions that members of the River View Ward may have at this time:
- How should the sacrament be administered?
- How should we hold presidency and other leadership meetings?
- Can I make an appointment with the bishop or a member of the bishopric?
- How do we minister during this time?
- What about baptisms, funerals, receptions and other ordinances or gatherings?
- Can I still use the church building?
- Will there be any activities?
- Is the temple still open?
- How should I pay tithing or fast offerings?
- What other events/meeetings are suspended?
- How long will these restrictions be in place?
- Any other information I should know?
How should the sacrament be administered?
The General Handbook (Section 18.9.1) states: “The bishop holds the priesthood keys for administering the sacrament in the ward. All who participate in preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament must receive approval from him or someone under his direction.”
During this temporary situation, Bishop Bennett has given pre-approval to worthy priesthood holders to administer the sacrament to their own families and/or as a ministering brother to their assigned individuals/families. This blanket approval is for March 15 only and will be reconsidered on a week-by-week basis. Specific instructions for administering the sacrament can be found in the General Handbook, Section 18.9.
If any priesthood holder has questions about his worthiness to perform this ordinance, he is invited to contact the bishop directly to discuss the matter further.
Only worthy teachers, priests and Melchizedek Priesthood holders may prepare the sacrament.
Only worthy priests and Melchizedek Priesthood holders may bless the sacrament.
Only worthy deacons, teachers, priests and Melchizedek Priesthood holders may pass the sacrament.
If there is only one priesthood holder in the home, he is authorized to prepare, bless and pass the sacrament alone.
Priesthood holders — and those who partake of the sacrament — should be well-groomed and dressed appropriately for the occasion, as much as possible.
The General Handbook (18.9.3) instructs:
Those who administer the sacrament should do so in a dignified manner, realizing that they are representing the Lord. The bishopric encourages them to ponder the Savior’s Atonement as they prepare, bless, and pass the sacrament.
Those who administer the sacrament should be well groomed and clean. They should not wear clothing or jewelry that might detract from the worship and covenant making that are the purpose of the sacrament.
If nobody in your home is able to administer the sacrament, please contact your assigned ministering brothers to do so; if they are unavailable, please contact a member of the elders quorum presidency.
The sacrament ordinance should only be administered on the Sabbath (Sunday).
While members may choose to pray, sing or do their “Come Follow Me” study at the same time as the sacrament ordinance, they should not recreate a “sacrament meeting.”
Those who partake of the sacrament should be present to witness the breaking of the bread and to hear the prayer. It should not be taken door-to-door.
All are encouraged to remember and keep the Sabbath Day holy.
How should we hold presidency and other leadership meetings?
We encourage bishopric, ward council and presidency meetings to be held via technology or remote conference where possible.
In-person presidency meetings are authorized, if you prefer, but should be done with care and according to the State of Utah and CDC guidelines for gathering.
Can I make an appointment with the bishop or a member of the bishopric?
Interviews with the bishop or his counselors will still be available by appointment.
Please contact Brother Michelsen (801.615.9023), the ward executive secretary, if you would like to set up an appointment.
How do we minister during this time?
Everyone (including ministering brothers and sisters) should continue to watch out for those in their care.
Please continue to regularly check-in with your ministering individuals/families. If you find out about anyone that has contracted the virus or if they are in self- or mandated-isolation, please report back via the regular channels (elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies, who will report to the bishopric).
Ministering can still be done in-person, if desired, though please be mindful of the wishes of your ministering individuals/families, and take care not to create situations where illness could spread. If someone has contracted the virus or may have been exposed, please refrain from risking spread of the disease through prolonged exposure, including blessing and anointing the sick. The area presidency has suggested that the Lord will accept a faithful prayer from a reasonable distance at this time. If a blessing is given, it should be short and those involved should immediately take precautions by washing hands thoroughly and not touching their faces.
All ministering interviews should take place electronically, where possible.
What about baptisms, funerals, receptions and other ordinances or gatherings?
These events can still continue, but must comply with the State of Utah’s requirements for gathering (no meetings over 100 people, or over 20 people for those over 60 or with health concerns)
Only family and very close friends should be invited in order to keep groups small.
Can I still use the church building?
The building will still be available for personal/family use (as long as events comply with the Utah state gathering requirements)
As always, if you need to use the building, please schedule it with the executive secretary or member of the ward council and be sure to clean up and secure the building after your event.
Will there be any activities?
All organized activities for children, youth, Relief Society, elders quorums and other organizations have been suspended until further notice.
Everyone is encouraged to continue to serve others (e.g. small service projects or humanitarian efforts), but these should not be organized as a class or quorum activity.
Is the temple still open?
As of March 16th, proxy temple ordinances have been temporarily suspended. Living ordinances (with limited guests) will still be performed by appointment only. Please contact the temple for scheduling questions.
How should I pay tithing or fast offerings?
As always, you are strongly encouraged to pay tithing and fast offerings online using your bank account.
If you do need to pay tithing with a cash or check, please hand-deliver envelopes to a member of the bishopric or mail them to the bishop.
What other events/meetings are suspended?
Patriarchal blessings will be postponed.
All training meetings are suspended.
The Utah Food Drive and Anti-Pornography Conference have been postponed.
The Family History Center is closed and all Family History classes and meetings (e.g. Discovery Day) have been cancelled.
How long will these restrictions be in place?
These are temporary measures and are intended to be short-term, depending on the status of the outbreak and direction from Church leaders.
Any other information I should know?
Please continue to follow the State of Utah and CDC guidance for hand-washing, cleanliness, gatherings, etc.
If you have any questions not covered by this website, please contact the bishop.
To stay up-to-date on the latest news and information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the Church, please visit https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org.
To read the Governor’s statement on public gatherings in Utah, visit https://governor.utah.gov/2020/03/12/gov-herbert-announces-recommendations-to-help-slow-the-spread-of-novel-coronavirus/.